‘I’m afraid’… Martin Brundle criticises ‘overdriving’ F1 star at Belgian Grand Prix

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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will start on pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix despite the fact Max Verstappen set the fastest time. Verstappen was comfortably the class of the field in Saturday’s qualifying session, but he drops to 11th thanks to an engine penalty.

His Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez starts on the front row after delivering a timely improvement as he fights for his seat. Lewis Hamilton lines up third for Mercedes.

Hungarian GP polesitter Lando Norris had to settle for a net fourth on what was a disappointing day for McLaren. Oscar Piastri, who won in Budapest, was directly behind.

George Russell goes from sixth for Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz (P7) was the slowest driver from the top-four teams in Q3. Compatriot Fernando Alonso joins him on the fourth row.

Esteban Ocon was one of the stars of the session in ninth for Alpine, while Alex Albon is the last man to benefit from Verstappen’s penalty as he squeezes into the top 10. The Dutchman will fancy his chances of scoring a podium at the very least given the pace he’s shown this weekend.

While Spa is known for its changeable conditions, this was the third straight qualifying session that started in the wet. Some have been able to adapt to the challenge better than others.

Martin Brundle unimpressed by Carlos Sainz at Belgian GP

One driver who will have wanted more, particularly in light of his teammate’s showing, is Sainz. Ferrari were able to pit both cars for new tyres at the end of the session, while the Mercedes and McLaren duos had to stretch out their older rubber.

Sainz posted a 1:54.477 on his final lap, some 1.2 seconds off the ultimate pace set by Verstappen. More importantly, he was seven-tenths down on Leclerc.

The Monegasque now leads the head-to-head for the season 8-5. Sainz had prevailed on the last three Saturdays but struggled at Spa.

Speaking in commentary for Sky Sports F1, Martin Brundle criticised his approach at the end of Q3. He felt he was overly aggressive, which led to the rear of the car sliding.

“Dancing with oversteer through everywhere basically,” Brundle observed. “Not a stellar first sector at all. Carlos is potentially overdriving this Ferrari now. It’s moving around too much. He’s overdriving I’m afraid.”

Sainz camp seen visiting motorhome of 2025 suitor

Sainz is, of course, one of the drivers who’s still without a seat for 2025. It wouldn’t be fair to say he needs to put himself in the shop window, because the bottom three teams on the grid – his main suitors – would likely be desperate to have him.

But Mercedes have yet to fully commit to signing Kimi Antonelli. Had Sainz achieved what Leclerc did here, it could have caught the eye of Toto Wolff.

One journalist spotted the Sainz camp leaving the Williams motorhome on Friday. At this stage, that may be his likeliest move.

Alpine have agreed an engine deal with Mercedes, which may make them more appealing. But the departure of Bruno Famin continues the upheaval at Enstone, no doubt harming their efforts to attract A-list talent.